Intensive Care Admission Research Articles

The effect of an integrated palliative care intervention on quality of life and acute healthcare use in patients with COPD: Results of the COMPASSION cluster randomized controlled trial

Background: COPD causes high morbidity and mortality, emphasizing the need for palliative care. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of palliative care in patients with COPD. Design: Cluster randomized controlled trial (COMPASSION study; Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): NL7644, 07-04-2019). Healthcare providers within the intervention group were trained to implement palliative care components into routine COPD care. Patients completed questionnaires at baseline, after 3 and 6 months; medical records were assessed after 12 months. The primary outcome was quality of life (FACIT-Pal). Secondary outcomes were anxiety, depression, spiritual well-being, satisfaction with care, acute healthcare use, documentation of life-sustaining treatment preferences and place of death. Generalized linear mixed modelling was used for analyses. Setting: Eight hospital regions in the Netherlands. Participants: Patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of COPD and positive ProPal-COPD score. Results: Of 222 patients included, 106 responded to the questionnaire at 6 months. Thirty-six of 98 intervention patients (36.7%) received the intervention. Intention-to-treat-analysis showed no effect on the primary outcome (adjusted difference: 1.09; 95% confidence interval: −5.44 to 7.60). In the intervention group, fewer intensive care admissions for COPD took place (adjusted odds ratio: 0.21; 95% confidence interval: 0.03–0.81) and strong indications were found for fewer hospitalizations (adjusted incidence rate ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence interval: 0.46–1.03). Conclusions: We found no evidence that palliative care improves quality of life in patients with COPD. However, it can potentially reduce acute healthcare use. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic led to suboptimal implementation and insufficient power, and may have affected some of our findings.

Epidemiology of Intensive Care Admissions for Children in the US From 2001 to 2019

Estimates of the number of US children receiving intensive care unit (ICU) care and ICU admission patterns over time are lacking. To determine how ICU admission patterns, use of critical care services, and the characteristics and outcomes of critically ill children have changed from 2001 to 2019. This population-based retrospective cohort study used data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's state inpatient databases from a total of 21 US states in 2001, 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2019. Hospitalized children aged 0 to 17 years, excluding newborns (during birth hospitalization), were included. Patients admitted to rehabilitation institutions or psychiatric hospitals were also excluded. Data were analyzed from July 2021 to December 2022. Care in a nonneonatal ICU. From extracted patient data, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, and Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification, codes were used to identify diagnoses, comorbid conditions, organ failures, and mechanical ventilation. Generalized linear Poisson regression and the Cuzick test were used to evaluate trends. US Census data were used to generate age- and sex-adjusted national estimates of ICU admissions and costs. Of 2 157 991 pediatric admissions, 275 656 (12.8%) included ICU care. The mean (SD) age was 6.43 (6.10) years; 121 894 individuals were female (44.2%), and 153 731 were male (55.8%). From 2001 to 2019, the prevalence of ICU care among hospitalized children increased from 10.6% to 15.5%. The percentage of ICU admissions in children's hospitals rose from 51.2% to 85.1% (relative risk [RR], 1.66; 95% CI, 1.64-1.68). The percentage of children admitted to an ICU with an underlying comorbidity increased from 46.2% to 57.0% (RR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.22-1.25), and the percentage with preadmission technology dependence increased from 16.4% to 23.5% (RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.40-1.48). The prevalence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome increased from 6.8% to 21.0% (RR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.98-3.26), while mortality decreased from 2.5% to 1.8% (RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.66-0.79). Hospital length of stay increased by 0.96 days (95% CI, 0.73-1.18) for ICU admissions from 2001 to 2019. After inflation adjustment, total costs for a pediatric admission involving ICU care nearly doubled between 2001 and 2019. Nationally, an estimated 239 000 children were admitted to a US ICU in 2019, corresponding to $11.6 billion in hospital costs. In this study, the prevalence of children receiving ICU care in the US increased, as did length of stay, technology use, and associated costs. The US health care system must be equipped to care for these children in the future.

The etiology and mortality of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is a devastating neurological presentation. There is a paucity of large studies on NORSE as it is a relatively new clinical syndrome. The aim of this review was to summarize the etiologies and establish a mortality rate for NORSE. Two independent authors systematically searched the following electronic databases from January 1, 2005 April 20, 2021: PubMed, Embase, OVID, Scopus, Web of Science, "Clinicaltrials.gov," and the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) registry. We included all primary research studies of NORSE in adults and excluded commentaries, reviews, pre-clinical studies, and pediatric populations. Etiology was extracted from all studies meeting eligibility criteria, whereas data relating to treatments, hospital stay, functional outcomes, and mortality were extracted from studies with sample size ≥5. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis of mortality rate with meta-regression testing for significant covariates. Of 1482 studies, 109 case reports and case series met our criteria, comprising 395 cases of NORSE. The most common etiology was cryptogenic in 197 cases (49.9%), followed by autoimmune in 143 cases (36.2%). The pooled mortality rate was 22% (95% confidence interval 17%-27%; =15), with low heterogeneity ( =0%). Meta-regression revealed that year of study, treatment with ketogenic diet or immunotherapy, percentage of cryptogenic cases, and length of intensive care unit stay were not significant covariates for mortality. Common treatments included antiseizure medications (median 5), general anesthesia, and immunotherapy such as corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange. Mean length of intensive care admission was 33.4 days, with 52% of cases diagnosed with epilepsy on discharge. Neurocognitive impairment was a common sequela of NORSE. NORSE is associated with a high mortality. Half of cases remain cryptogenic, which presents a diagnostic challenge. Future focus should be on elucidating the underlying neurobiology and determining the most effective therapeutic interventions.

Isolated diastolic dysfunction is associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients

PurposeLeft ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is important in critically ill patients, but prevalence and impact on mortality is not well studied. We classified intensive care patients with normal left ventricular function according to current diastolic guidelines and explored associations with mortality. Material and methodsEchocardiography was performed within 24 h of intensive care admission. Patients with reduced LV ejection fraction, regional wall motion abnormality, or a history of cardiac disease were excluded. Patients were classified according to the 2016 EACVI guidelines, Recommendations for the Evaluation of LV Diastolic Function by Echocardiography. ResultsOut of 218 patients, 162 (74%) had normal diastolic function, 21 (10%) had diastolic dysfunction, and 35 (17%) had indeterminate diastolic function.Diastolic dysfunction were more common in female patients, older patients and associated with sepsis, respiratory and cardiovascular comorbidity as well as higher SAPS Score. In a risk-adjusted logistic regression model, patients with indeterminate diastolic dysfunction (OR 4.3 [1.6–11.4], p = 0.004) or diastolic dysfunction (OR 5.1 [1.6–16.5], p = 0.006) had an increased risk of death at 90 days compared to patients with normal diastolic function. ConclusionIsolated diastolic dysfunction, assessed by a multi-parameter approach, is common in critically ill patients and is associated with mortality. Trial registrationSecondary analysis of data from a single-center prospective observational study focused on systolic dysfunction in intensive care unit patients (Clinical Trials ID: NCT03787810

Effect of single-unit transfusion in patients treated for haematological disease including acute leukemia: A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial

BackgroundRetrospective studies in hematological unit have suggested that single red blood cell (1-RBC) unit transfusion policy may reduce the number of RBC used without negative clinical impact. MethodAcute leukemia patients requiring intensive chemotherapy or patients receiving autologous or allogeneic transplantation were randomly assigned to receive either single RBC (1-RBC arm) or double RBC (2-RBC arm) per transfusion with a hemoglobin trigger of 8 g/dL. The primary composite endpoint was the percentage of patients experiencing serious complications, such as a non-hematological adverse event grade ≥ 3 or intensive care admission or death. FindingsA total of 981 and 592 RBC transfusions were required in the 1-RBC arm (n = 125) and the 2-RBC arm (n = 120), respectively. The mean pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels were 7.49 ± 0.83 g/dL in the 1-RBC arm and 7.46 ± 0.67 g/dL in the 2-RBC arm (p = 0.275). The predefined non-inferiority criteria was achieved with 28/125 patients reaching the primary endpoint in the 1-RBC arm (22.4 %) and 28/120 patients in the 2-RBC arm (23.3 %) (Risk difference 0.009; 95 %, Confidence interval [−0.0791 to 0.0978], p = 0.021). The median (IQR) of RBC units transfused per patient was 7 (4–12) in the 1-RBC arm and 8 (4–12) in 2-RBC arm. Hemoglobin levels at discharge were also comparable in both arms. InterpretationThe results of this trial indicate that a single RBC transfusion policy is not inferior to a double RBC transfusion policy for patients receiving a bone marrow transplant or intensive chemotherapy in a hematological intensive care unit. However, the single RBC transfusion policy did not reduce the number of RBC units transfused per stay. FundingThis trial was funded by a grant from the French Ministry of Health

The efficacy of retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS) for lower pole stones: results from 2946 patients

PurposeTo evaluate the perioperative outcomes of retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS) for lower pole stones (LPS) and factors affecting stone-free rate (SFR).MethodsData from 20 centers were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were adult patients, normal renal anatomy, and LPS. Exclusion criteria were bilateral surgery, concomitant surgery for ureteral stones. SFR was defined as a single residual fragment (RF) ≤ 2 mm and evaluated 3-months after surgery. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with RF. Statistical significance was set at p value < 0.05.Results2946 patients were included. Mean age and stone size were 49.9 years 10.19 mm, with multiple LPS in 61.1% of cases. Total operation and laser time were 63.89 ± 37.65 and 17.34 ± 18.39 min, respectively. Mean hospital stay was 3.55 days. Hematuria requiring blood transfusion and fever/urinary infections requiring prolonged antibiotics occurred in 6.1% and 169 5.7% of cases, while sepsis with intensive-care admission in 1.1% of patients. On multivariate analysis, Multiple stones (OR 1.380), stone size (OR 1.865), and reusable ureteroscopes (OR 1.414) were significantly associated with RF, while Thulium fiber laser (TFL) (OR 0.341) and pre-stenting (OR 0.750) were less likely associated with RF.ConclusionsRIRS showed safety and efficacy for LPS with a mean diameter of 10 mm. This procedure can achieve a satisfactory SFR in pre-stented patients with a single and smaller stone, particularly with TFL use.

Concurrent Pansinusitis and Orbital Cellulitis Complicated by Extensive Head and Neck Venous Thrombosis in an Unvaccinated Adolescent Patient with COVID-19: A Case Report

BackgroundOrbital cellulitis is an infrequent but serious infectious complication of rhinosinusitis, most commonly seen in the pediatric population. Extension into the cavernous sinus, leading to further infection and thrombosis, is a rare but life-threatening complication. Although COVID-19 has been linked to an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, most cases involve extremity deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism; reports of intracranial or jugular system thrombosis are rare. Case ReportWe describe a case of a 17-year-old female patient with no significant medical history or thrombotic risk factors found to have orbital cellulitis and severe pansinusitis, complicated by multiple venous thromboses in the head and neck requiring emergent surgical intervention and pediatric intensive care admission. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Extensive head and neck venous thrombosis and intracranial abscesses are rare complications of pansinusitis and orbital cellulitis, and the thrombotic complications of COVID-19 are well documented. A delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to potentially devastating consequences.

Functional assessment and mortality in underweight critically ill patients one year after hospital discharge: A prospective cohort study

There in no data regarding outcomes after hospital discharge for underweight critically ill patients. This study aimed to assess long-term survival and functional capacity in underweight critically ill patients. Prospective observational study that included underweight critically ill patients (BMI <20kg/cm2) followed-up one year after hospital discharge. To assess functional capacity, we interviewed patients or caregivers and performed Katz index (KI) and Lawton scale. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) poor functional capacity, if the patient had less points than the median of the Katz and IADL score, and (2) good functional capacity, if at least one score was above the median. Extremely low weight defined as less than 45kg. We assessed the vital status of 103 patients. Mortality was 38.8% (median 362 [136, 422] days of follow-up). We interviewed 62 patients or proxies. No difference was observed between survivors and non-survivors regarding weight and BMI at intensive care unit admission and nutritional therapy received in the first days of intensive care admission. Patients with poor functional capacity had lower admission weight (43.9 vs 52±7.9kg, p<0.001) and BMI (17±2.1 vs 18.2±1.8kg/cm2, p=0.028). In a multivariate logistic regression, weight under 45kg was independently associated with poor functional capacity (OR=13.6, 95%CI, 3.7 to 66.5) CONCLUSION: Underweight critically ill patients have high mortality and a persistent functional impairment, the last being more important in extremely low weight. ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03398343.

Ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation, intensive care admission, and death: a global systematic review and meta-analysis of over 200 million study participants.

COVID-19 has exacerbated existing ethnic inequalities in health. Little is known about whether inequalities in severe disease and deaths, observed globally among minoritised ethnic groups, relates to greater infection risk, poorer prognosis, or both. We analysed global data on COVID-19 clinical outcomes examining inequalities between people from minoritised ethnic groups compared to the ethnic majority group. Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) were searched from 1st December 2019 to 3rd October 2022, for studies reporting original clinical data for COVID-19 outcomes disaggregated by ethnicity: infection, hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality. We assessed inequalities in incidence and prognosis using random-effects meta-analyses, with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) use to assess certainty of findings. Meta-regressions explored the impact of region and time-frame (vaccine roll-out) on heterogeneity. PROSPERO: CRD42021284981. 77 studies comprising over 200,000,000 participants were included. Compared with White majority populations, we observed an increased risk of testing positive for infection for people from Black (adjusted Risk Ratio [aRR]:1.78, 95% CI:1.59-1.99, I2=99.1), South Asian (aRR:3.00, 95% CI:1.59-5.66, I2=99.1), Mixed (aRR:1.64, 95% CI:1.02-1.67, I2=93.2) and Other ethnic groups (aRR:1.36, 95% CI:1.01-1.82, I2=85.6). Black, Hispanic, and South Asian people were more likely to be seropositive. Among population-based studies, Black and Hispanic ethnic groups and Indigenous peoples had an increased risk of hospitalisation; Black, Hispanic, South Asian, East Asian and Mixed ethnic groups and Indigenous peoples had an increased risk of ICU admission. Mortality risk was increased for Hispanic, Mixed, and Indigenous groups. Smaller differences were seen for prognosis following infection. Following hospitalisation, South Asian, East Asian, Black and Mixed ethnic groups had an increased risk of ICU admission, and mortality risk was greater in Mixed ethnic groups. Certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Our study suggests that systematic ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 health outcomes exist, with large differences in exposure risk and some differences in prognosis following hospitalisation. Response and recovery interventions must focus on tackling drivers of ethnic inequalities which increase exposure risk and vulnerabilities to severe disease, including structural racism and racial discrimination. ESRC:ES/W000849/1.

The Dilemma of Pediatric Intensive Care Admissions During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak.

The Dilemma of Pediatric Intensive Care Admissions During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak.

Ethnic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes: a multinational cohort study of 20 million individuals from England and Canada

BackgroundHeterogeneous studies have demonstrated ethnic inequalities in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and adverse COVID-19 outcomes. This study evaluates the association between ethnicity and COVID-19 outcomes in two large population-based cohorts from England and Canada and investigates potential explanatory factors for ethnic patterning of severe outcomes.MethodsWe identified adults aged 18 to 99 years in the QResearch primary care (England) and Ontario (Canada) healthcare administrative population-based datasets (start of follow-up: 24th and 25th Jan 2020 in England and Canada, respectively; end of follow-up: 31st Oct and 30th Sept 2020, respectively). We harmonised the definitions and the design of two cohorts to investigate associations between ethnicity and COVID-19-related death, hospitalisation, and intensive care (ICU) admission, adjusted for confounders, and combined the estimates obtained from survival analyses. We calculated the ‘percentage of excess risk mediated’ by these risk factors in the QResearch cohort.ResultsThere were 9.83 million adults in the QResearch cohort (11,597 deaths; 21,917 hospitalisations; 2932 ICU admissions) and 10.27 million adults in the Ontario cohort (951 deaths; 5132 hospitalisations; 1191 ICU admissions). Compared to the general population, pooled random-effects estimates showed that South Asian ethnicity was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 death (hazard ratio: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.09-2.44), hospitalisation (1.53; 1.32-1.76), and ICU admission (1.67; 1.23-2.28). Associations with ethnic groups were consistent across levels of deprivation. In QResearch, sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors accounted for 42.9% (South Asian) and 39.4% (Black) of the excess risk of COVID-19 death.ConclusionInternational population-level analyses demonstrate clear ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 risks. Policymakers should be cognisant of the increased risks in some ethnic populations and design equitable health policy as the pandemic continues.

Bundles reduce anastomosis leak in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. A propensity score-matched study.

anastomosis leak still being a handicap in colorectal surgery. Bowel mechanical preparation and oral antibiotics are not a practice recommended in many clinical practice guides. The aim is to analyse the decrease in frequency and severity of postoperative complications, mainly related to anastomotic leak, after the establishment of a bundle. Single-center, before-after study. A bundle was implemented to reduce anastomotic leaks and their consequences. The Bundle group were matched to Pre-bundle group by propensity score matching. Mechanical bowel preparation, oral and intravenous antibiotics, inflammatory markers measure and early diagnosis algorithm were included at the bundle. The bundle group shown fewer complications, especially in Clavien Dindós Grade IV complications (2.3% vs. 6.2% p < 0.01), as well as a lower rate of anastomotic leakage (15.5% vs. 2.2% p < 0.01). A significant decrease in reinterventions, less intensive unit care admissions, a shorter hospital stay and fewer readmissions were also observed. In multivariate analysis, the application of a bundle was an anastomotic leakage protective factor (OR 0.121, p > 0.05). The implementation of our bundle in colorectal surgery which include oral antibiotics, mechanical bowel preparation and inflammatory markers, significantly reduces morbidity adjusted to severity of complications, the anastomotic leakage rate, hospital stay and readmissions. The study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov Code: nct04632446.

Early Patient-Triggered Pressure Support Breathing in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with COVID-19 May Be Associated with Lower Rates of Acute Kidney Injury.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients often necessitates mechanical ventilation. Although much has been written regarding intensive care admission and treatment for COVID-19, evidence on specific ventilation strategies for ARDS is limited. Support mode during invasive mechanical ventilation offers potential benefits such as conserving diaphragmatic motility, sidestepping the negative consequences of the longer usage of neuromuscular blockers, and limiting the occurrence of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). In this retrospective cohort study of mechanically ventilated and confirmed non-hyperdynamic SARS-CoV-2 patients, we studied the relation between the occurrence of kidney injury and the decreased ratio of support to controlled ventilation. Total AKI incidence in this cohort was low (5/41). In total, 16 of 41 patients underwent patient-triggered pressure support breathing at least 80% of the time. In this group we observed a lower percentage of AKI (0/16 vs. 5/25), determined as a creatinine level above 177 µmol/L in the first 200 h. There was a negative correlation between time spent on support ventilation and peak creatinine levels (r = -0.35 (-0.6-0.1)). The group predominantly on control ventilation showed significantly higher disease severity scores. Early patient-triggered ventilation in patients with COVID-19 may be associated with lower rates of acute kidney injury.

Risk factors for adverse outcomes in elderly patients with asthma and severe COVID-19 at the hospital and early post-hospital stages

Mortality and COVID-19 related factors are thoroughly analyzed. Given the large number of hospitalized patients, the potential short- and long-term COVID-19 related complications, further research is needed on the possible consequences of hospitalization, especially in higher-risk patients, after prolonged hospitalization and intensive care admission. To study the clinical course and outcomes of severe COVID-19 in elderly patients with asthma at the hospital and early post-hospital stages. The study included 131 elderly patients (WHO, 2020) >60 years old, n=131 with asthma, hospitalized for severe COVID-19. Of these, 86 (65.6%) patients survived, 30 (22.9%) died in the hospital, and 15 (14.9%) patients died after discharge from the hospital (in the 90-day post-hospital period). COVID-19 was confirmed by laboratory tests (SARS-CoV-2 PCR RNA test) and/or clinically and radiologically. All patients had a documented history of asthma. Patients were followed up during the hospital stay and for 90 days after discharge. Comparison of outcomes showed that in the groups of patients with a fatal outcome (regardless of the stage), the Charlson comorbidity index, respiratory rate, extent of lung damage assessed by computed tomography, the absolute leukocyte and neutrophil number and the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes were statistically significantly higher. The absolute number of eosinophils was lower in these groups. In the group of patients who died during hospitalization, severe (IV-V) asthma (p=0.03), steroid use during the previous year (p=0.02), chronic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (p=0.009) were more common, and atopic asthma phenotype was less common (p=0.02). In those who died after discharge, more common were non-invasive ventilation and diabetes mellitus (p<0.001). The multivariate regression analysis model revealed the most significant predictors of mortality at the hospital and early post-hospital stages. Adverse outcomes of severe COVID-19 in elderly patients with asthma include hospital and post-hospital mortality. The most significant predictors of mortality are the comorbidity index and low eosinophil count. Hospital mortality is associated with a higher ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes and lower total protein levels; early (90-day) post-hospital mortality is associated with extensive lung damage shown by computed tomography and diabetes mellitus.

Functional and cognitive rehabilitation interventions during intensive care admission: A protocol for a systematic integrative review.

Long-term cognitive impairment occurs in up to 60% of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. Early use of functional and cognitive rehabilitation interventions, while patients are still in ICU, may reduce cognitive decline. We aim to describe the functional and cognitive interventions used during the ICU stay, the healthcare professionals providing interventions, and the potential impact on functional and cognitive rehabilitation. In this integrative systematic review, we will include empirical qualitative, quantitative, mixed- and multiple-methods studies assessing the use of functional and cognitive rehabilitation provided in ICU. We will identify studies in relevant electronic databases from 2012 to 2022, which will be screened for eligibility by at least two reviewers. Literature reported as narrative reviews and editorials will be excluded. We will assess the impact of interventions evaluating a cognitive and functional function, quality of life, and all-cause mortality at 6-12 months after ICU discharge. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias Tool will be used for assessing risk of bias in clinical trials. For observational studies, we will use the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Furthermore, we will use the critical appraisal skills programme for qualitative studies and the mixed methods appraisal tool for mixed methods studies. We will construct four matrices, including results describing which ICU patients and healthcare professionals were engaged in rehabilitation, which interventions were included in early rehabilitation in ICU, the potential impact on patient outcomes of rehabilitation interventions provided in ICU and a narrative synthesis of themes. A summary of the main results will be reported using modified GRADE methodology. This integrative review will inform the feasibility randomised clinical trial testing the development of a complex intervention targeting functional and cognitive rehabilitation for patients in ICU.

Geriatrics emergency medicine: The need of time.

Madam, Since the inception of Emergency Medicine (EM) in Pakistan, it has been an ever-growing field, and one such current need is the development of geriatric emergency care. Older patients have a longer Emergency department (ED) stays and more frequent admissions, with an increased risk of special care and intensive care admissions. These patients have unusual presentations and multiple comorbidities, are more prone to complications, are easily affected by their surroundings and require an understanding of their social needs and thorough counselling, complicating their care. The elderly population also termed the ‘silver tsunami’ shares a significant burden of the ED in Pakistan.1 According to the 2017 national census, nearly 13.7 million people in Pakistan, were over the age of 60, accounting for roughly 7% of the total population,2 which is anticipated to double in the coming years, increasing the burden of geriatric patients. This highlights the urgent need todevelop a specialised system for the elderly in acute care settings. Although several programmes in Pakistan focus on elderly care under Family Medicine, there remains a huge gap in emergency care, which is crucial in providing 24/7 healthcare service delivery. Geriatrics curriculum must be incorporated in emergency medicine residency programmes to facilitate patient outcomes, decrease mortality, and prevent functional decline in that age group. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) certified hospitals as "Geriatric Emergency Departments" (GEDs) in 2018 based on GED guidelines established in 2014. The purpose was to assist in providing more effective care to the elderly population. 3 According to Kaeley et al., a considerably higher number of older people (2965, 54.9%) were hospitalised from the ED, with approximately 651, or 21.9 % admitted to the intensive care unit.4 Geriatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship training provides EDs with expertise to meet the need of a growing geriatric population. (Figure 1) These programmes can serve as a foundation for clinical innovation, research, and education focusing on the elderly population. Work on this is being done globally., Pakistan must play a role in this aspect of emergency medicine, owing to the rapidly increasing older population and advancement in GEM practice worldwide.3,5 A proper healthcare infrastructure at the government level will help geriatric patients cope with limited health resources, financial burdens, and palliative care. A better understanding of geriatric care will assist us in better allocating and utilising the limited resources we have available to alleviate the financial burden. ---Continue

Clinical and electrocardiographic outcomes evaluated by telemedicine of outpatients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 treated with chloroquine compounds in Brazil†.

To evaluate clinical and electrocardiographic outcomes of patients with COVID-19, comparing those using chloroquine compounds (chloroquine) to individuals without specific treatment. Outpatients with suspected COVID-19 in Brazil who had at least one tele-electrocardiography (ECG) recorded in a telehealth system were enrolled in two arms (Group 1: chloroquine and Group 2: without specific treatment) and one registry (Group 3: other treatments). Outcomes were assessed through follow-up calls (phone contact, days 3 and 14) and linkage to national mortality and hospitalization databases. The primary outcome was composed of: hospitalization, intensive care admission, mechanical ventilation, and all-cause death, and the ECG outcome was the occurrence of major abnormalities by the Minnesota code. Significant variables in univariable logistic regression were included in 4 models: 1-unadjusted; 2-adjusted for age and sex; 3-model 2 + cardiovascular risk factors and 4-model 3 + COVID-19 symptoms. In 303 days, 712 (10.2%) patients were allocated in group 1, 3,623 (52.1%) in group 2 and 2,622 (37.7%) in group 3; 1,969 had successful phone follow-up (G1: 260, G2: 871, and G3: 838). A late follow-up ECG was obtained for 917 (27.2%) patients [group 1: 81 (11.4%), group 2: 512 (14.1%), group 3: 334 (12.7%)]. In adjusted models, chloroquine was independently associated with greater chance of the composite clinical outcome: phone contact (model 4): OR = 3.24 (95% CI 2.31-4.54), p < 0.001. Chloroquine was also independently associated with higher mortality, assessed by phone + administrative data (model 3): OR = 1.67 (95% CI 1.20-2.28). However, chloroquine did not associate with the occurrence of major ECG abnormalities [model 3; OR = 0.80 (95% CI 0.63-1.02, p = 0.07)]. Abstracts with partial results of this work was accepted in the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, November 2022, in Chicago, IL, USA. Chloroquine was associated with a higher risk of poor outcomes in patients suspected to have COVID-19 when compared to those who received standard care. Follow-up ECGs were obtained in only 13.2% of patients and did not show any significant differences in major abnormalities amongst the three groups. In the absence of early ECG changes, other side effects, late arrhythmias or deferral of care may be hypothesized to explain the worse outcomes.

Raised FGF23 Correlates to Increased Mortality in Critical Illness, Independent of Vitamin D

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF23) is an endocrine hormone classically associated with the homeostasis of vitamin D, phosphate, and calcium. Elevated serum FGF23 is a known independent risk factor for mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We aimed to determine if there was a similar relationship between FGF23 levels and mortality in critically ill patients. Plasma FGF23 levels were measured by ELISA in two separate cohorts of patients receiving vitamin D supplementation: critical illness patients (VITdAL-ICU trial, n = 475) and elective oesophagectomy patients (VINDALOO trial, n = 76). Mortality data were recorded at 30 and 180 days or at two years, respectively. FGF23 levels in a healthy control cohort were also measured (n = 27). Elevated FGF23 (quartile 4 vs. quartiles 1-3) was associated with increased short-term (30 and 180 day) mortality in critical illness patients (p < 0.001) and long-term (two-year) mortality in oesophagectomy patients (p = 0.0149). Patients who died had significantly higher FGF23 levels than those who survived: In the critical illness cohort, those who died had 1194.6 pg/mL (range 0-14,000), while those who survived had 120.4 pg/mL (range = 15-14,000) (p = 0.0462). In the oesophagectomy cohort, those who died had 1304 pg/mL (range = 154-77,800), while those who survived had 644 pg/mL (range = 179-54,894) (p < 0.001). This was found to be independent of vitamin D or CKD status (critical illness p = 0.3507; oesophagectomy p = 0.3800). FGF23 levels in healthy controls were similar to those seen in oesophagectomy patients (p = 0.4802). Elevated baseline serum FGF23 is correlated with increased mortality in both the post-oesophagectomy cohort and the cohort of patients with critical illness requiring intensive care admission. This was independent of vitamin D status, supplementation, or CKD status, which suggests the presence of vitamin D-independent mechanisms of FGF23 action during the acute and convalescent stages of critical illness, warranting further investigation.

Neonatal intensive care admission for term neonates and subsequent childhood mortality: a retrospective linkage study

BackgroundNeonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission among term neonates is a rare event. The aim of this study was to study the association of the NICU admission of term neonates on the risk of long-term childhood mortality.MethodsA single-center case–control retrospective study between 2005 and 2019, including all in-hospital ≥ 37 weeks’ gestation singleton live-born neonates. The center perinatal database was linked with the birth and death certificate registries of the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs. The primary aim of the study was to study the association between NICU admission and childhood mortality throughout a 15-year follow-up period.ResultsDuring the study period, 206,509 births were registered; 192,527 (93.22%) term neonates were included in the study; 5292 (2.75%) were admitted to NICU. Throughout the follow-up period, the mortality risk for term neonates admitted to the NICU remained elevated; hazard ratio (HR), 19.72 [14.66, 26.53], (p < 0.001). For all term neonates, the mortality rate was 0.16% (n = 311); 47.9% (n = 149) of those had records of a NICU admission. The mortality rate by time points (ratio1:10,0000 births) related to the age at death during the follow-up period was as follows: 29, up to 7 days; 20, 7–28 days; 37, 28 days to 6 months; 21, 6 months to 1 year; 19, 1–2 years; 9, 2–3 years; 10, 3–4 years; and 27, 4 years and more. Following the exclusion of congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities, NICU admission remained the most significant risk factor associated with mortality of the study population, HRs, 364.4 [145.3; 913.3] for mortality in the first 7 days of life; 19.6 [12.1; 32.0] for mortality from 28 days through 6 months of life and remained markedly elevated after age 4 years; HR, 7.1 [3.0; 17.0]. The mortality risk related to the NICU admission event, adjusted for admission diagnoses remained significant; HR = 8.21 [5.43; 12.4].ConclusionsNICU admission for term neonates is a pondering event for the risk of long-term childhood mortality. This group of term neonates may benefit from focused health care.

Seizure Occurring During Baclofen Monotherapy for Phenibut Withdrawal.

Phenibut is a widely available gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist. When taken chronically, phenibut causes dependence and subsequent withdrawal if stopped. Baclofen, a gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist structurally related to phenibut, has been used to manage phenibut withdrawal (PW), although baclofen doses for PW are not well defined and may exceed Food and Drug Administration-approved doses. Little data described outcomes from baclofen use. This case details a patient who experienced a seizure while on baclofen 10 mg thrice daily as monotherapy for PW and highlights a potential risk of underdosing baclofen as monotherapy in the management of PW. A man in his early 30s with anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder presented to the emergency department by family for lethargy and confusion starting earlier that day. He had been using 25-30 g of phenibut daily for the past 6 months. On arrival, he was hypertensive, tachycardic, tachypneic, and lethargic. The patient received 1 mg of intravenous lorazepam and was admitted to the hospital for presumed PW. His symptoms improved overnight, and he was discharged on 10 mg of baclofen thrice daily. He returned 28 hours later after having a seizure and required intensive care admission in addition to multimodal drug therapy. Phenibut use is rising, and treatment options for PW, such as baclofen, warrant additional study. Potential risks of underdosing baclofen if used as monotherapy in PW may include seizures as withdrawal progresses. Baclofen's role in therapy may be more appropriate as an adjunct than a cornerstone of therapy. Treatment done in consultation with providers experienced in managing withdrawal such as a toxicologist may help reduce this risk.